Biography: Marc Steven Hudson was born in New York City on December 6, 1962 to Wolcott Orlando Hudson and Ruby Linda Hudson (both deceased). Marc was raised in the South Bronx at St. Mary’s Park Houses located at 671 Westchester Avenue with his brothers Orlando Wolcott Hudson, and Kevin Hudson (both deceased) and sister Leslie Karen Hudson . Marc was the youngest of his siblings and was affectionately called “Baby Boy “during his early years. Marc attended elementary and middle school in the Bronx, and later earned his high school diploma.
Everyone in St. Mary’s projects was his family and EVERYONE knew the Hudson family. Marc grew up in an era where it took a “village to raise a child, when everyone’s door was always unlocked, and every parent had a right to discipline your child. Needless to say Marc and his siblings had several beat downs.
He loved to eat and loved to cook and back in the early 80’s, he could breakdance anyone off the dance floor. He later embarked on career as a chef and worked at various intuitions and agencies. No one could out grill Marc - NOBODY! He loved to crack jokes and had a voice like a boom box. You often heard him before you saw him. His laugh was either infectious or got on your last nerve.
Marc did not have an easy life. Some paths he chose; and some were chosen for him. Marc’s biggest regret till his death was the choices he made early in life had profound consequences which caused him to miss the opportunity to raise his son Marc Jr. This suffering became a pivotal point in his life and allowed him to gain clarity. The inevitability of his hardships became his agent of change as he began to seek Christ for guidance and purpose through his transformational leadership.
In 1999, he met his life partner Jessica Quinones and on March 2, 2000, his daughter Monica Hudson was born. After her birth, he told his mother “I don’t know why God gave me another chance at being a father because I don’t deserve it; but seeing that he gave me one more chance, I’m going to get this right. I’m going to be in her life EVERYDAY and be the best father I can. I may not be perfect but I WILL BE THERE. I just hope my son can forgive me for who I was when I wasn’t who I should have been. Marc absolutely got it right! His daughter has been at his side EVERYDAY until his death.
In October 2014, Marc moved his family back to St. Mary’s Houses located directly across from his childhood home. His favorite saying was “it’s clean, comfortable, cozy, and mine”. His favorite pastimes was staying home with his family relaxing with his two dogs Beethoven, Zion and three cats, Maxi, Mittens, and Princess. If you needed him he was there and if you didn’t need him he was still there. He wouldn’t leave you unless he was certain you were okay …. U ALRIGHT? I’ll see you, when I see you, so.. SEE YA!!
On November 7, 2017, Marc was diagnosed with stage 4 throat cancer and had been receiving care at NYU Langone Hospital. His spirit never wavered and his faith was never shaken. Somehow throughout his grueling treatments and hospitalizations, he always managed to find humor and make jokes with the hospital staff. But during his still moments- when he needed a word, he would go inside his spiritual tabernacle, for prayer, for guidance, for praise, for worship, for purpose, for, strength, for direction, for ceptance, for forgiveness, for cleansing and for healing. Jesus was his pillar of strength, his strong tower of faith, his protector, and his amour that held his body up when he was beginning to get weak and weary.
Marc loved and lived for his family. He made the difficult decision to have laryngectomy surgery (voice box removal) on Wednesday October 10, 2018 to increase his survival years. His greatest wish was to see his daughter Monica graduate college with honors and walk her down the aisle on her wedding day. Three days before his scheduled surgery date, Marc went into cardiac arrest and passed away at Lincoln Hospital .He was 55 years old.
He was a valiant fighter; not just with cancer, but with overcoming the adversities of his life challenges, cynicisms, and obstacles .Marc exemplified strength, courage, character, and emerged victorious. He will be greatly missed. The angels have cleared his path and opened the gates. His work is done. He is still. He is at peace. He is loved. He is watching.
He leaves to mourn his sister Leslie Hudson, son Marc Pickett, his life partner of 19 years Jessica Quinones, daughter Monica Hudson, nephews Orlando Hudson, Jonathan Yellowday , Charles Yellowday, nieces, Sha-Vohnna Briscoe, Clarissa Krigger, Grand nephews, Qyihonn Brisco, Kazhmir Yellowday, Orlando Hudson jr. Orion Hudson, Blake Tenton, Grand nieces, Aloni Williams ,Hayden Yellowday , his entire extended Brisbane family ,and a host of cousins, other relatives and friends.